Was Tuesday the spark Longwood Softball needed?

Longwood came into the 2017 season regarded as a Big South powerhouse and ace Biz McCarthy was thought to be one of the nation’s best pitchers. The Lancers came into Tuesday’s doubleheader against Virginia with a 10–16 mark and McCarthy is in the midst of her worst season in Farmville.

Maybe yesterday was the spark that Longwood needs to be a catalyst for another Big South title. Longwood swept the guest Wahoos 1–0 and 2–1.

A quick disclaimer, UVA is 11–22 on the season, but anytime you sweep an ACC team and an in-state rival it feels good.

Most importantly yesterday was the fact that Biz McCarthy went a full seven innings, gave up 1 earned run, stroke out 11, and had ZERO walks. Sydney Gay has been solid all year with 10 complete games and a 2.54 ERA, but yesterday was McCarthy’s first complete game of the year (coming into this year she had 53 complete games).

Longwood has now won four straight games by sweeping Towson and Virginia at home, but to see if that streak was meaningful Longwood will need to get a series win at 17–17 Winthrop this weekend on the road. The Eagles are also already 3–2 in the conference.

After the pivotal road visit to Rock Hill, Longwood will have three straight home series in Farmville. It would do the Big South Tournament host Lancers to turn the week with a 3–3 record at the absolute least.